1
as in binding
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hampering
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
shackled by poverty and ignorance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shackling
The Baltimore region has suffered too long from underinvestment in transit services — which is shackling economic growth, harming the environment and constraining quality of life for families.
—
Brandon Scott, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Men are often the ones in those ICE facilities who are shackling and chaining detainees.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
In Wisconsin, a bill that would restrict shackling inmates while in labor — something most states already ban — has repeatedly failed to pass the state Legislature.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
Brandon Scott, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Men are often the ones in those ICE facilities who are shackling and chaining detainees.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
In Wisconsin, a bill that would restrict shackling inmates while in labor — something most states already ban — has repeatedly failed to pass the state Legislature.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackling
Verb
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The meeting’s outcomes will be consolidated into a final report rather than a binding agreement.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
According to the outlet, the legally binding agreement had previously been overlooked when the script had been vetted and approved.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the truck drove through the airport's version of a stop light and the vehicle lacked a transponder, hampering a crash warning system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
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The cuts to the DOJ program are hampering the work of the Resurrection Project and other groups.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The notion of a mother tongue assumes that language functions as a common thread in families, tying parent to child.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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Judge hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, tying Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami with his MLB-leading 12th of the season, to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The White House placed Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorists, impeding its ability to access international banking services.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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In court filings, the Newton Police Department has disputed the allegations, saying officers responded to multiple calls about roughly 100 spectators at Heartbreak Hill who were impeding the race.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Agents then discharged their weapons and pursued Allen, exchanging gunfire and later tackling and handcuffing him.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
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After handcuffing Woods, authorities searched his pockets and found two white pills.—
R.J. Rico,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Experts warn that the war in Iran and the resulting fuel shocks can strain funding and disrupts field operations, hindering global conservation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Most hypersonic missiles can perform evasive maneuvers while in flight, hindering detection and interception, unlike regular missiles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And a key component of the novel and the show is the setting itself, which is a real impeachment of our mental health system, this history of confining and discarding lives that has spilled out into the streets of America.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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From corrective eye surgery to confining plasma for nuclear fusion research and from entertainment to quickening checkout at supermarkets, lasers are now part of our everyday lives.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Separately, Comey was federally indicted last year on suspicion of making false statements to Congress and obstructing congressional proceedings, but those charges were later dismissed.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
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Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent.—
Darrell Smith
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackling. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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